Recap: Behind the scenes of the emergency department at QMC

The Post has been invited inside the emergency department at the Queen's Medical centre to see what it is like for frontline hospital staff on what is expected to be one of the busiest nights of the year.

The emergency department at the QMC regularly sees 550 patients every day, despite only being designed for 350.

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17:17

A&E is for emergencies

Sister Jenn Wardle-Millar said: “I just want to stress that A&E is for emergencies so bare that in mind before you make the decision to come, especially as tonight is probably going to be busy.”

17:16

A busy night ahead?

Sister Jenn Wardle-Millar said: “I can’t say what will happen into the evening but as it is the last Friday before Christmas we are expecting it to be quite busy tonight. Especially alcohol related incidents.”

17:16

Today's patient numbers so far

A total of 285 patients have been seen so far today and 88 patients are currently being cared for

17:14

This week has been really busy

Junior doctor Amie king, 26, said: “This week has been really busy.

“When it is busy we get bottle necks throughout the system and this makes our job a lot harder. However we are one big family in A&E and so we all help each other out.”

16:50

Advice

NHS stay well this winter warning

16:37

Update on Amelia from earlier

Amelia, who came into the department with a head injury, is sitting with a staff member now.

It has emerged she hit her head on a car door.

She has had her head cleaned up, but has to stay put just for a few more tests - just to be on the safe side.

Amelia, a patient from earlier in the day

16:27

Some shocking numbers here

So far 258 patients have walked through the A&E doors.

The department is designed to manage 350-400 a day, however it regularly sees 500-600.

It seems to obviously get busier in the evenings.

16:24

Average day here at the QMC

Overall for a Friday afternoon the QMC is on average at the moment - in terms of patients.

Although, the resus area is looking busier than usual.

16:20

How does it compare nationally?

There are 71 patients in the department at the moment, with 15 waiting to be seen.

Nationally, 95 percent of patients should be seen within four hours. At this point in QMC, 72 percent have been seen in that time frame.

16:18

What are cubicles?

This is a cubicle in the department. This is where they treat patients when they are brought in on a trolley.

A cubicle where patients are taken

16:14

Handovers

Sam Dunlop is dealing with ambulance hand over at the moment. This is known as ‘hot nursing’.

Sam Dunlop

16:08

Two hours waiting

There is currently a waiting time of around two hours at the department today.

More than two hours for waiting times

16:06

What are these different coloured wings?

There are three areas:

The blue area is the main wing where seriously ill patients go on arrival (usually non emergency but serious) for example hip fracture or chest infection.

Yellow wing is minor injuries.

Resus is the most seriously ill patients for example trauma, sepsis, car accident, and air way problems.

15:58

Long wait times

There are now two hour waiting times in the blue wing, and one hour for the yellow wing.

15:57

Group meetings now taking place

Staff are doing what they called a ‘huddle’. This is where they talk through what the problems are what they can do to improve, and how they can make the process smoother.

Staff are having a 'huddle'

They have two huddles in one shift.

15:52

Initial assessment unit

Initial Assessment unit at the QMC

The initial assessment unit is the point where ambulances bring patients to the hospital.

Ambulances are expected to turn around in 15 minutes and be back on the road in 30 minutes

15:49

Staff on duty

QMC

15:48

Much busier than normal

Sister Jenn Mardle-Millar is in charge of today’s 7-7.30 shift and she said “today Is much busier than normal”

15:37Hannah Mitchell

Mum waiting with her daughter for head injury

Amelia Applewhite, 67, of Castle Doningtom was visiting her daughter in Nottingham when she sustained a head injury.

She has been waiting in the ‘minors’ area to be seen.

She said: “I’ve been waiting an hour and a half to get my head wound cleaned up and get an ECG. I didn’t want to come but if it’s a head wound you can never be too sure.”

15:24Hannah Mitchell

We're live

Afternoon everyone, we’re live in QMC’s emergency department.

We take a peek inside QMC's A&E

So far it’s looking quite busy at the moment.

Yesterday, the department saw 561 people, and they are expecting a similar amount today.